COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 45, 2 December 1871, Page 11

COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail Office, Friday evening. In the import market trade has slightly improved during the past week in spite of the unsettled weather, and the absence of some of our principal men at the opening of the new bridge at Wanganui, but with the exception of sugars, we note no change in prices from our last report. The Melbourne Sugar Company have advanced their rates 40s per on on all their sugars, and quotations for their make are now, for IC, £sl; C, £47 ; and V, £43 to £44 per ton, duty paid. Wool is coming in freely for shipment, and prices continue high—much higher than we think is Warranted. At auction to-day, 56 bales of wool, washed, of the same clip as that which last year was sold for 9d, realised Is and we hear of sales of greasy wool at lOd to Is Id. Tonnage in the Australian colonies continue scarce, and from all present indications, will be so here. Freights in consequence are likely to continue high at the close of the wool shipping season, as vessels now on the berth are fast filling up. Dttnedin.—The " Times" of the 27fch reports :—ln the short interval since the departure of the mail, there has been but little going forward in the import market, and the end of the month being close at hand, there is an inclination for a day or two to quietness. In the moderate sales occurring, there are no changes to note, either in prices or prospects, and generally the markets are without, anything calling for special notice. Timaett.—The "Herald" of the 22nd inst. reports:—There is no trade doing in grain, except for local requirements. Quotations are as follows: Wheat (nominal), 4s 6d ; oats, 2s 6d ; flour, £l3 to £l4 per ton ; pollard, £4; bran, £3 ; potatoes, £6. The trade in building materials has been rather slack. Quotations are as follows : Timber, N.Z., 15s to 16s per 100 ft. do, V.D L., 25s per 100 ft: Y.D.L. palings (sft), 255; do (6ft), 30s; Y.D.L. shingles, 30s per 1000 ; Grospel Oak galvanised iron, £35 per ton. There has been a good demand for coal, and there is a tolerably large.stock on hand. Prices are (best soreened), £2 15s per ton; inferior, £2 10s per ton. Firewood, £2 53 per cord. The principal shipments for the month, comprise 3,884 bushels oats, 310 barley, 378 wheat, 240 bales wool, 33 bales sheepskins, 15 hides, 157 sheep, 6 casks tallow, 7 kegs butter, and 21 tons (210 cases) preserved meat.